India denies drought conditions

The Agriculture Ministry of India claimed that production of kharif crops coverage was satisfactory. Though there is deficit rainfall reported in 95 districts, sowing is normal and satisfactory. The current rainfall in the first fortnight of September in many States will improve the situation. The yield is expected to be same as of last year. There is no drought-like situation, as feared that 225 districts across 17 States could face drought-like situation. The Ministry said rainfall was near normal and the overall deficit was only about 6%. The kharif crops` coverage in almost all the States have been satisfactory, and, the rains during the period from 1-10 September, 2017 in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha and Jharkhand have improved moisture in the soil.